US accuses Russia of violating treaty with 'invincible' missile
Washington has accused Moscow of openly violating Cold War treaties by developing new weapons that President Vladimir Putin has called “invincible”.
In his state-of-the-nation address on March 1, President Vladimir Putin said Russia had successfully tested a variety of strategic nuclear weapons, including nuclear-powered cruise missiles, unmanned high-speed submarines and a new hypersonic missile.
Putin’s message appeared to challenge Washington toward a new arms race ahead of Russia’s presidential election. President Putin did not deliver his annual state of the nation address at the Kremlin as usual, but instead moved to an exhibition center, which showed videos of missiles flying over mountains and oceans before emerging on the East Coast of the United States.
Mr Putin quoted a speech in 2004, saying Russia would develop a new generation of weapons, a promise he said had now been fulfilled. "None of you have ever listened to us. Now you will have to listen,"APquote from President Putin
President Putin stressed that Russia’s military efforts were a response to recent US actions. Washington last month unveiled plans to revamp its nuclear arsenal and develop new low-yield warheads.
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| Russia's Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile. Photo: Defence Talk |
The US State Department expressed outrage at the message and videos simulating a nuclear warhead exploding on US soil. “It is unfortunate to see videos simulating a nuclear attack on the United States. That is certainly something we do not like to see. We consider that the behavior of an irresponsible nation,” said Heather Nauert, a spokeswoman for the US State Department.
Ms. Nauert added that Russia has been developing destabilizing weapons systems for more than a decade, in direct violation of its treaty obligations. Specifically, Russia has demonstrated its violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty through its development of ground-launched cruise missiles.
The Pentagon responded more calmly to the message, with a spokesman stressing that the military was fully prepared to respond to “anything that comes our way.” The US has long accused Russia of violating the INF Treaty, and while it is modernizing its nuclear arsenal, the US remains in compliance with the terms of the treaty.
